VIDEO: Atlantis Launched The Final Service Mission For Hubble Telescope On May 11, 2009

'At last our launch has come along'

ABOVE VIDEO: HD launch footage of Space Shuttle Atlantis blasting off for the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. (Youtube Video)

BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA (NASA) – On May 11, 2009, Space Shuttle Atlantis carried a crew of seven that began the STS-125 mission with a brilliant, on-time launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

This was the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.

The mission included five spacewalks on consecutive days, completing all objectives for servicing and replacing some of Hubble’s key instruments and equipment and extending its life well into the next decade.

Shortly before liftoff, Commander Scott Altman thanked the teams that helped make the launch possible.

“At last our launch has come along,” said Altman. “…Getting to this point has been challenging, but the whole team, everyone, has pulled together to take us into space.”

Altman was joined on STS-125 by Pilot Gregory C. Johnson and Mission Specialists Megan McArthur, John Grunsfeld, Mike Massimino, Andrew Feustel and Michael Good. McArthur served as the flight engineer and lead for robotic arm operations while the remaining mission specialists pair up for the hands-on spacewalk work after Hubble was captured and secured in the payload bay.

Altman, Grunsfeld and Massimino were space shuttle and Hubble mission veterans. Johnson, Feustel and Good were first-time space fliers.

This was the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. (NASA Image)